The Quidditch World Cup (also called the World Cup or World Championship)[1] has been held every four years since 1473. The competition sees Quidditch teams representing countries around the world compete for the World Cup.

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Recorded World Cups

This was the first ever Quidditch World Cup. Only European teams participated. The final was contested between Flanders and Transylvania. During the match, all 700 known fouls were committed (and several new ones subsequently created), including the Transfiguration of a Chaser into a polecat, the attempted decapitation of a Keeper with a broadsword, and the release of a hundred vampirebats from underneath the robes of the Transylvanian Captain.[2]

Ireland flattened Peru in the semi-finals to set up a meeting with Bulgaria. The Bulgarians had won the last twelve Eastern European Championship and had a "rock solid defence". Ireland were another defensively strong team, but they also managed to score as many points as nearly every team in the World Cup.[6]

The stadium built for the 422nd World Cup took a Ministry of Magic task force a year to construct, and could hold one hundred thousand spectators.[6]

The 422nd Quidditch World Cup final was held on 22 August, 1994 in England, between Ireland and Bulgaria. Ludovic Bagman provided the match commentary. Ireland wore green robes with each player's name embroidered in silver on their back. They all flew Firebolt broomsticks and Leprechauns served as the team's mascots. Veela were Bulgaria's mascots and they played in robes of scarlet. Irish Chaser, Troy scored the first goal of the match. After another two Irish goals, Ivanova registered Bulgaria's opening score. Then Ireland's SeekerAidan Lynch was fooled by Viktor Krum's Wronski Feint, but managed to continue play after the aid of some mediwizards. Fifteen minutes later Ireland had stretched their lead to 130-10, when their Chaser Mullet was fouled by the Bulgarian Keeper, Zograf, and was awarded a penalty. This led to anarchy, with another penalty being awarded to Ireland and referee Hassan Mostafa being distracted by the Veela. Quigley sent a Bludger towards Krum which broke his nose. Lynch then spotted the Snitch, but was beaten in the race for it by Krum. Despite this, Ireland still ran out the victors. The final score was 170-160. The Irish team performed a lap of honour before being presented with the Quidditch World Cup in the stadium's Top Box (Lynch had to be supported by Moran and Connolly).[8]

Winners

Behind the scenes

The mathematics relating to the Quidditch World Cup are contradictory. If the Cup is held every four years and Harry is attending the 422nd match, it should have started in 310 rather than 1473. It is perhaps possible that early in the origins of the Cup, the competition was played more often than every four years. If this is the case, it seems that the Quidditch World Cup could possibly have been held annually until 1862 (the 389th World Cup), after which it was held every four years, correctly placing the 422nd Quidditch World Cup in 1994. But calculated correctly, beginning in 1473 and occurring every four years, the World Cup Harry attended should be the 131st, and it should have been held in the summer of 1993, before he began his third year at Hogwarts.

Furthermore, in chapter 3 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Mrs. Weasley mentions in her letter to Harry that "Britain hasn't hosted the Cup for thirty years". Although the Cup is supposedly held every four years, thirty is not a multiple of four. It is possible that Mrs. Weasley is meaning thirty times in every fourth year or has rounded for simplicity.

The Quidditch World Cup seems to corresponds to the Muggle Football World Cup, which takes place every four years, is hosted by a different nation at each occurrence, and has the best players from many countries participating in it. Furthermore, British nations frequently disappoint at this tournament, despite characteristic high hopes.